EA halting projects due to Battlefield 4 issues, shares tumble

With complaints about bugs and connectivity issues piling up for Electronics Arts' (EA-7.3%) recently-launchedBattlefield 4, EA's DICE unit (responsible for developing the game) is halting the release of additional Battlefield 4 expansion packs, and is also stopping work on all "future projects," until the game's issues are sorted out.

EA investors aren't responding well to the news. Without healthy sales of Battlefield 4 and its $50 premium service, EA could struggle to hit its Dec. quarter forecasts. Moreover, DICE's project halts could delay the release of two anticipated titles: Star Wars: Battlefront (due in 2015) and Mirror's Edge 2 (due in 2015/2016).

Activision (ATVI-2%), whosemainstay Call of Duty franchise is the top rival to EA's Battlefield franchise, is also selling off.